History of Boston in Timeline

Boston is the capital and most populous city of Massachusetts, serving as the cultural and financial hub of New England. With an area of 48.4 sq mi (125 km2), the city's population was 675,647 in 2020, making it the third-largest city in the Northeastern United States. The Greater Boston metropolitan area encompasses approximately 4.9 million residents as of 2023, ranking as the largest metropolitan area in New England and the eleventh-largest in the United States.

1901: Boston Red Sox Founding Member

In 1901, the Boston Red Sox became a founding member of the American League of Major League Baseball.

1903: First Modern World Series in Boston

In 1903, Boston hosted the first game of the first modern World Series, played between the Boston Americans and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1906: Construction of the Longfellow Bridge in 1906

The Longfellow Bridge was built in 1906 and was mentioned by Robert McCloskey in Make Way for Ducklings.

Make Way for Ducklings

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July 4, 1911: Record high temperature on July 4, 1911

On July 4, 1911, Boston reached a record high temperature of 104 °F (40 °C).

1911: Beaneaters name change

In 1911, Boston's first professional baseball team was called Beaneaters until.

1912: Opening of Fenway Park in 1912

Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, opened in 1912.

1912: Fenway Park Built

Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, was built in 1912.

1912: Annexation of Hyde Park in 1912

In 1912, the city of Boston annexed Hyde Park.

1916: MIT moves to Cambridge

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) moved across the Charles River to Cambridge in 1916.

December 30, 1917: Record cold daily maximum on December 30, 1917

On December 30, 1917, Boston had a record cold daily maximum of 2 °F (−17 °C).

September 8, 1923: Opening of Logan International Airport on September 8, 1923

Logan International Airport opened on September 8, 1923.

1928: Opening of Boston Garden in 1928

The Boston Garden opened in 1928.

January 1930: Appointment of Securities Director of Massachusetts in January 1930

In January 1930, Massachusetts Governor Frank G. Allen appointed John C. Hull the first Securities Director of Massachusetts.

May 4, 1932: Hull introduces a bill for revision and simplification of the law relative to the sale of securities on May 4, 1932

On May 4, 1932, John C. Hull introduced a bill to the committee on Banks and Banking in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for revision and simplification of the law relative to the sale of securities (Chapter 110A).

1933: Drafting of Securities Act of 1933

In 1933, Harvard professors Felix Frankfurter, Benjamin V. Cohen and James M. Landis drafted the Securities Act of 1933.

February 9, 1934: Record low temperature on February 9, 1934

On February 9, 1934, Boston reached a record low temperature of −18 °F (−28 °C).

November 15, 1934: Kennedy Sr. spoke before the Boston Chamber of Commerce on November 15, 1934

On November 15, 1934, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. spoke before the Boston Chamber of Commerce, warning against fraudulent securities sales.

1952: Braves move to Milwaukee

After the 1952 season, the Braves moved to Milwaukee.

1953: Construction of Columbia Point public housing complex in 1953

The Columbia Point public housing complex was built in 1953.

1957: Lowest temperature since 1957 on February 4, 2023

On February 4, 2023, Boston experienced a temperature of −10 °F (−23 °C), the lowest since 1957.

1957: Establishment of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) in 1957

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) was established in 1957 to initiate urban renewal projects.

1958: BRA initiated project to improve the historic West End neighborhood in 1958

In 1958, the BRA initiated a project to improve the historic West End neighborhood.

1960: Boston Patriots Founded

In 1960, the New England Patriots were founded as the Boston Patriots, before changing their name after relocating in 1971.

1965: Opening of Columbia Point Health Center in 1965

In 1965, the Columbia Point Health Center opened in the Dorchester neighborhood, the first Community Health Center in the United States.

1966: Braves move to Atlanta

In 1966, the Braves moved to Atlanta and became the Atlanta Braves.

1971: Patriots Relocation

In 1971, the Boston Patriots relocated to suburban Foxborough and changed their name to the New England Patriots.

1974: Conflict over desegregation busing in 1974

Starting in 1974, Boston experienced conflict over desegregation busing, which resulted in unrest and violence around public schools throughout the mid-1970s.

August 2, 1975: Record warm daily minimum on August 2, 1975

On August 2, 1975, Boston had a record warm daily minimum of 83 °F (28 °C).

1984: Redevelopment of Columbia Point complex began in 1984

From 1984 to 1990, the Columbia Point complex was redeveloped and revitalized into a mixed-income residential development called Harbor Point Apartments.

1990: Murders in Boston

In 1990, Boston recorded 152 murders, which translated to a murder rate of 26.5 per 100,000 people.

1990: Rededication of Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center in 1990

In 1990, the Columbia Point Health Center was rededicated as the Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center.

1991: The Improper Bostonian Published

From 1991 through April 2019, The Improper Bostonian, a glossy lifestyle magazine, was published.

1991: Start of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in 1991

The Central Artery/Tunnel Project, also known as the "Big Dig", ran from 1991 to 2007, and significantly affected the geography of downtown and South Boston.

1993: The Boston Globe acquired by The New York Times in 1993

In 1993, The Boston Globe was acquired by The New York Times.

1999: Murders in Boston Decline

In 1999, murders in Boston dropped to 31, resulting in a murder rate of 5.26 per 100,000 people.

2000: Boston becomes majority minority

In 2000, non-Hispanic Whites made up 49.5% of Boston's population, marking the first time the city became majority minority.

2001: Super Bowl Win

After the 2001 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2001: Patriots Championship

The Patriots won a championship in 2001.

2003: Super Bowl Win

After the 2003 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2003: Patriots Championship

The Patriots won a championship in 2003.

2004: Super Bowl Win

After the 2004 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2004: Acquisition of FleetBoston Financial by Bank of America in 2004

In 2004, FleetBoston Financial was acquired by Charlotte-based Bank of America.

2004: Red Sox and Patriots Championships

The Red Sox and Patriots both won championships in 2004.

2006: The Rainbow Times Founded

In 2006, The Rainbow Times, the only minority and lesbian-owned LGBT news magazine, was founded. It is now based out of Boston and serves all of New England.

2006: Non-Hispanic Whites regain slight majority

In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that non-Hispanic Whites had again formed a slight majority in Boston.

2007: Completion of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in 2007

In 2007, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, known as the Big Dig, was completed after many delays and cost overruns.

2007: Red Sox Championship

The Red Sox won a championship in 2007.

2007: Commission of the first climate action plan in 2007

The first climate action plan for Boston was commissioned in 2007, covering carbon reduction in buildings, transportation, and energy use.

2008: American Community Survey data

Data is sourced from the American Community Survey's five-year estimates (2008–2012).

2008: Celtics Championship

The Celtics won a championship in 2008.

2009: Christian Science Monitor Stops Daily Print Publication

In 2009, The Christian Science Monitor, headquartered in Boston, ended publication of daily print editions, switching to continuous online and weekly magazine format publications.

2010: Catholic Church Membership in Greater Boston

As of 2010, the Catholic Church had the highest number of adherents in the Greater Boston area, with over two million members.

2010: Non-White population rebounds

As of 2010, the non-White population in Boston rebounded due to the housing crash, increased efforts to provide affordable housing, and increases in the Latin American and Asian populations.

2010: Boston's population increase over 2010

In the 2020 census, Boston was estimated to have 691,531 residents living in 266,724 households—a 12% population increase over 2010.

July 2011: Bluebikes Launched

In late July 2011, the bikeshare program Bluebikes, originally called Hubway, was launched. The system has 480 stations with a total of 4,500 bikes.

2011: Release of climate action plan update in 2011

An update to Boston's climate action plan was released in 2011.

2011: Tourism in Boston

In 2011, Boston's tourism sector saw 21.2 million domestic and international visitors, contributing $8.3 billion to the economy.

2011: Bruins Championship

The Bruins won a championship in 2011.

2011: Low snowfall in the winter of 2011–12

The winter of 2011–12 saw only 9.3 in (23.6 cm) of accumulating snow in Boston.

2012: American Community Survey data

Data is sourced from the American Community Survey's five-year estimates (2008–2012).

2012: Elizabeth Warren elected to the Senate

Democrat Elizabeth Warren was first elected as the state's senior member of the United States Senate in 2012.

April 15, 2013: Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013

On April 15, 2013, two Chechen Islamist brothers detonated bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring roughly 264.

2013: Boston's philanthropy rate in 2013

As of 2013, Boston households provided the highest average rate of philanthropy in the nation.

2013: Ed Markey elected to the Senate

Democrat Ed Markey was elected in 2013 to succeed John Kerry as the state's junior member of the United States Senate.

2013: NIH Grants to Greater Boston Research Institutions

Hospitals, universities, and research institutions in Greater Boston received more than $1.77 billion in National Institutes of Health grants in 2013.

2013: Introduction of the Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive in 2013

In 2013, Mayor Thomas Menino introduced the Renew Boston Whole Building Incentive to reduce the cost of living in energy-efficient buildings.

2013: Resale of The Boston Globe in 2013

In 2013, The Boston Globe was resold to Boston businessman John W. Henry.

2013: Chinese Americans in Boston

In 2013, over 27,000 Chinese Americans resided in Boston city proper.

2013: Red Sox Championship

The Red Sox won a championship in 2013.

2014: Religious identification in Boston

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, 57% of Boston's population identified as Christians, 33% claimed no religious affiliation, and 10% adhered to other faiths.

2014: Super Bowl Win

After the 2014 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2014: Release of climate action plan update in 2014

An update to Boston's climate action plan was released in 2014.

2014: International Tourists in Boston

In 2014, over 1.4 million international tourists, excluding those from Canada and Mexico, visited Boston, with China and the United Kingdom being the leading countries of origin.

2014: Patriots Championship

The Patriots won a championship in 2014.

2015: Jewish Population in Boston Metro Area

As of 2015, the Boston metro area had a Jewish population of approximately 248,000.

2016: Super Bowl Win

After the 2016 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2016: American Community Survey

Data regarding ancestry groups in Boston is based on the 2012–2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.

2016: Boston Household Car Statistics

In 2016, 33.8 percent of Boston households lacked a car, compared with the national average of 8.7 percent. The city averaged 0.94 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.

2016: Boston's bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics in 2016

In 2016, Boston briefly shouldered a bid as the U.S. applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics, but it was eventually dropped.

2016: General Electric moving headquarters to Boston in 2016

In 2016, General Electric announced it would move its corporate headquarters from Connecticut to the Seaport District in Boston.

2016: Patriots Championship

The Patriots won a championship in 2016.

2017: Boston Uprising Established

In 2017, the Overwatch League's Boston Uprising was established and became the first team to complete a perfect stage with 0 losses.

2018: Dominican Population Estimate in Greater Boston

According to 2018 estimates, there were 150,000 Dominicans residing in Greater Boston.

2018: Super Bowl Win

After the 2018 season, the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2018: Boston's ranking in Global Financial Centres Index

In the 2018 Global Financial Centres Index, Boston was ranked as having the 13th-most competitive financial services center in the world and the second-most competitive in the United States.

2018: Patriots and Red Sox Championships

The Patriots and Red Sox both won championships in 2018.

April 2019: The Improper Bostonian Ceases Publication

The Improper Bostonian, a glossy lifestyle magazine, ceased publication in April 2019 after being published since 1991.

July 21, 2019: Record warm daily minimum on July 21, 2019

On July 21, 2019, Boston had a record warm daily minimum of 83 °F (28 °C).

September 2019: Boston Saves Program Inaugurated

In September 2019, Boston formally inaugurated Boston Saves, a program that provides every child enrolled in the city's kindergarten system a savings account containing $50 to be used toward college or career training.

2019: Climate action plan from 2019

A climate action plan from 2019 anticipates 2 ft (1 m) to more than 7 ft (2 m) of sea-level rise in Boston by the end of the 21st century.

2019: Release of climate action plan update in 2019

An update to Boston's climate action plan was released in 2019.

2020: Boston population in 2020

As of the 2020 census, Boston had a population of 675,647, making it the third-largest city in the Northeastern United States.

2020: Boston's population in the 2020 census

In the 2020 census, Boston was estimated to have 691,531 residents living in 266,724 households—a 12% population increase over 2010.

March 2021: Kim Janey becomes Acting Mayor

Kim Janey became the Acting Mayor of Boston in March 2021, following Marty Walsh's confirmation as Secretary of Labor.

November 2021: Michelle Wu becomes mayor

Michelle Wu became the mayor of Boston in November 2021.

2021: Boston Police Department Funding

The fiscal 2021 budget for Boston included $414 million in spending on the Boston Police Department.

July 24, 2022: Last 100 °F reading in Boston on July 24, 2022

The last time Boston recorded a temperature of 100 °F (38 °C) was on July 24, 2022.

2022: Crime Statistics in Boston

In 2022, Boston reported 3,955 violent crimes and 11,514 property crimes, according to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program.

February 4, 2023: Lowest temperature since 1957 on February 4, 2023

On February 4, 2023, Boston experienced a temperature of −10 °F (−23 °C), the lowest since 1957.

2023: Boston as a biotechnology hub in 2023

As of 2023, Boston emerged as a global leader in higher education and research and is the largest biotechnology hub in the world.

2023: Greater Boston population in 2023

As of 2023, the Greater Boston metropolitan statistical area had a population of 4.9 million, making it the largest metropolitan area in New England and the eleventh-largest in the United States.